Tottenham Hotspur is preparing talks with manager Antonio Conte over the terms of his expected exit, with former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason taking the team as they trained for the first time since the Italian’s vicious verbal attack.
The former AC Milan, Juventus and Chelsea manager during his post-match conference following their 3-3 draw against Everton criticised his players for their seeming lackadaisical approach to games.
Spurs were leading 3-1 at some point in the match but let a two-goal lead slip through their hands with the Toffes restoring parity.
In line with job severance packages, Chairman Daniel Levy is ready to sack Conte during the current international break with internal discussions over the terms of his exit now underway.
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The Italian has just three months left on his current deal, which is worth £ 15 million a year – meaning Conte is due in the region of £ 4 million in compensation, excluding the money owed to his staff.
Discussions over a potential severance package have now taken place at Tottenham, though there are no indications yet of what Conte might agree to.
Spurs hold an option to extend Conte’s deal by an extra 12 months, however, it is understood there is no obligation for Spurs to compensate their current head coach for that extension clause.
If an agreement is reached, Conte’s departure is expected to be concluded at a swift pace.
Mason, who works under the Italian, is a contender to replace Conte on a short-term basis and he took the team on Tuesday in his absence.
Conte has returned to Italy to spend time with his family during the international break.
Tuesday’s session was the first since Conte’s stunning verbal tirade against his own players, which looks likely to cost him his job at Spurs.
The club have already started identifying candidates to replace Conte on a long-term basis.
Though if Mason is handed the reins on an interim basis and impresses in the remaining 10 matches he could yet come into contention as a long-term option.
Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique are among the most high-profile names currently under consideration.
Roberto De Zerbi, Marco Silva, Steve Cooper, Thomas Frank, Oliver Glasner and Ange Postecoglou are among the others also being considered.
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